Month: January 2017

CHICAGO,IL – Below are two photos of the same concrete lintel at the base of the bell tower. The first image is of the damaged lintel before the damaged concrete was removed. The concrete that surrounds the steel beam was then removed and it revealed the steel beam encased within is still in good condition which is shown in the second photo. Knowing the steel beam is in good structural condition, new concrete will be poured to protect the beam. This concrete work will be done this coming week.

CHICAGO, IL – Below are before and after pictures of the tower northeast corner at the very top. The corner stone had shifted at least 2 inches. The stone was removed and reset. SGH (Simpon Gumpertz and Heger) will be able to access the area on Monday to do a full assessment of why the stone moved and also, provide details on how to adhere the stone back in place. The roof above is four large pieces of limestone, all in good condition, and may need some tuckpointing.

CHICAGO, IL – The weather has warmed up enough to start the concrete work in the bell tower. The compromised concrete has been removed on one of the lintels and some of the deck to expose the steel structure. Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH), the engineers, will be out early next week to assess the conditions prior to the rebuild.

After a short break for the holidays work, continues at the Shrine. Shop drawings of the roof truss steel were received and are being reviewed by Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. Once reviewed and approved, the steel can start fabrication. Fabrication will take 6 to 8 weeks – just in time to erect steel when the spring starts to thaw!

The cold temperatures of winter have put a hold on the tower repairs. The parapet has been protected for the winter.